Pages

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Press Release: House of Lords launch of report on religion-based asylum application process

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media
and Communications Office

Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

House
of Lords launch of report on religion-based asylum application process

8 June 2016

The 7 June 2016 saw the launch
of a report jointly commissioned by the Asylum Advocacy Group (AAG) and The All
Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or
Belief. The report, entitled ‘Fleeing Persecution: Asylum Claims in the UK on
Religious Freedom Grounds’ explores the effectiveness of the assessment of
religion-based asylum claims in the UK, and the impact of the asylum process on
the fairness and quality of decision-making.

Those attending the launch
heard addresses by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic
Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, and Founder and Chair of the AAG, The Baroness
Berridge of the Vale of Catmose, co-chair of the APPG, and Professor Geoff Gilbert,
Professor of Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University
of Essex.

Chairing the meeting, Baroness
Berridge said:

“We are aware that the Home office is trying to make
incredibly nuanced and difficult decisions… [and] are here to help and assist
so that genuine claims are accepted...We aim to work with the Home Office to
improve the quality of decisions so as to avoid the heartache and the time and
resources of lawyers at tribunal hearings.”

Speaking of the vulnerability
of those fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in the UK, Bishop Angaelos said:

“We have been working in collaboration with the Home
Office for several years to ensure that the measures applied to determine the
credibility of applications do not inadvertently disadvantage those truly in
need of refuge and support.

While many have the benefit of freely choosing their
faith or belief in some parts of the world, there are others for whom this
decision makes them vulnerable to persecution, to the extent of sometimes
threatening their very existence.

Conscious of the fact that some will desire to abuse
the system, we must not forget the humaneness with which those legitimately
applying on religious freedom grounds should be treated. This is not just a
matter of statistics, because even if one case is misjudged, that represents
one life placed at greater risk.”

Addressing the complexity of
religious freedom case law and designation, Professor Gilbert said:

“It is a mistake to ignore religious based persecution…[which
is] not limited to state-based activity…Cumulative discrimination can amount to
persecution if there is enough of it...”

The report listed a number of
recommendations regarding the asylum process, aimed at improving the effectiveness
and sensitivity of guidelines, amongst which was:

“Ensure
that the asylum procedures are sensitive to the applicants’ experiences,
backgrounds and well-being. Also ensure that applicants should not be caused
unnecessary distress and should feel able to speak freely...”

Present at the meeting were
members of both Houses of Parliament, as well as religious freedom and advocacy
organisations and representatives of a variety of religious and ethnic groups.

For a copy of the report
online, including the full list of recommendations as part of the Executive
summary, click here.